Jagtar Johal speaks for First time in Court, pleads Not Guilty

LUDHIANA – British Citizen Jagtar Singh Johal, from Dumbarton, West Dunbartonshire, has reportedly appeared at a duty magistrates court in Ludhiana and has pleaded not guilty to any allegations framed by Punjab Police. He has been remanded in custody for an additional four days.

A private meeting between Jagtar Singh and the British Consular Services was requested and granted.

“The court gave the British High Commission team a copy of the directions issued to the police to arrange for a meeting between the High Commission delegation and Jagtar Singh in a separate room for privacy” said Jaspal Singh, Jagtar Singh’s lawyer.

According to Tribune India, A team from the British High Commission met UK national Jagtar Singh Johal here today, days after his alleged custodial torture was raised in the House of Commons. Johal, one of the accused in seven targeted killings in Punjab, was arrested early this month.

The team included Deputy High Commissioner Andrew Ayre, counsellor Julie and officer Palvi Jairath. Sources said the team held a meeting with Johal for over an hour, however as ordered by the Ludhiana court, it was not a private meeting. Two senior officials of the Ludhiana Commissionerate were also reportedly present.The sources said the purpose of the visit was to enquire if there was any human rights violation during the ongoing interrogation of Johal.

The team reportedly enquired if Johal was given the same facilities as an accused or a jail inmate, which he deserved being a British national.

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